Josh Goforth Music

Josh Goforth must have been born musical—he was already playing piano in church at the age of four— but it was an experience he had in the sixth grade that really lit the fuse of his precocious musical career. A performance at Goforth's middle school by Sheila Kay Adams caused him to start thinking about the musical heritage and stories of his native Madison County, NC. Josh was able to listen and learn from local masters like Gordon and Arvil Freeman and Jerry Adams. Goforth is a highly accomplished storyteller and acoustic musician playing close to 20 different instruments. After high school he went to East Tennessee State University to study music education with a Euphonium concentration, and to be a part of ETSU's famous Bluegrass and Country Music Program. In 2000, he played fiddle for the movie Songcatcher, both onscreen and on the soundtrack. He has toured extensively with a variety of ensembles, including the ETSU Bluegrass band, David Holt, Laura Boosinger, and with several bluegrass bands like Appalachian Trail, the Josh Goforth Trio, the Steep Canyon Rangers, Open Road and Carolina Road. He has performed in all 50 US states, all over Europe, Asia, and Australia. In 2000, 2003, and 2005, he was named Fiddler of the Festival at Fiddler's Grove and, after winning the third title, was designated "Master Fiddler" and retired from that competition. He has performed at the Grand Ole Opry, the Lincoln Center, as well as Carnegie Hall. In 2009 he was nominated for a Grammy for his album with David Holt entitled "Cutting Loose". He currently is on faculty at the Academy for the Arts in Asheville and performs all over the world.

SCHEDULE

2026

July 5-10

Swannanoa Gathering - Warren Wilson College - Swannanoa, NC - instructor

July 15

Montreat Adult Summer Club - Graham Chapel - Montreat, NC - 2:45pm

July 16

Bill's Creek Community Center - Lake Lure, NC

July 17

Burnsville First Baptist Church - Burnsville, NC - 6pm

July 18

Betty's Joint house concert - For tickets and info bettyfriedrichsen@gmail.com - Asheville, NC

July 19

AFTA staff concert - First Baptist Church of Asheville - Asheville, NC - 6pm

July 23

Athens State University w/Michael Reno Harrell - McCandless Hall - Athens, AL

July 24

Azalea Storytelling w/Michael Reno Harrell - Beason Recital Hall - LaGrange, GA

July 25

Concert w/Michael Reno Harrell - Dublin, GA

July 30 - August 1

Mountain Dance and Folk Festival - Asheville High School - Asheville, NC

August 14

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens - Charleston, SC - 6pm

August 20

Concert at Givens Estates - Asheville, NC - 7pm

August 21

Concert at Tryon Estates - Columbus, NC

August 22

White Horse w/Michael Reno Harrell - Black Mountain, NC

August 29

St. Mark's Lutheran Church w/Bryan McDowell - Asheville, NC - 4pm

August 30

UU Congregation of the Swannanoa Valley - Black Mountain, NC - 11am

September 18 -19

Wilmore Storytelling Festival - Wilmore Municipal Center - Wilmore, KY

September 21-24

JAM Summit - Wild Acres Retreat - Little Switzerland, NC - instructor

October 1-4

National Storytelling Festival - Jonesborough, TN

October 9

ACDA Conference w/Zoe and Cloyd - private event

October 16-17

Tales Among the Oaks Storytelling Festival - Dayton, TN

October 19-24

Athens Storytelling Festival - Athen, AL

November 12-15

St. Louis Storytelling Festival - St. Louis, MO

December 5

Storytelling Arts of Indiana w/Michael Reno Harrell - Holiday Concert - Indianapolis, IN

December 11

International Storytelling Center w/Michael Reno Harrell - Holiday Concert - Jonesborough, TN

December 12

Burke County Arts Council w/Michael Reno Harrell - Holiday Concert - Morganton, NC

December 20

A Swannanoa Solstice - Wortham Center for the Performing Arts - Asheville, NC - 2pm and 7pm

2027

January 8-10

Best of Our State w/Michael Reno Harrell - Pinehurst Resort - Pinehurst, NC

February 3-7

Kearney Area Storytelling Festival - Kearney, NE

February 16-17

Florida Gulf Coast Storytelling - Florida Gulf Coast University - Fort Myers, FL - 6pm

April 3-9

Colorado College Retreat - Baca Campus - Crestone, CO - private event

May 1

Cookeville Storyfest - Dogwood Park - Cookeville, TN

May 7-8

Paris Storytelling Festival - Paris, KY

May 14-16

FiddleStar Camp - Nashville, TN - instructor

May 20-22

Shoals Storytelling Festival - Florence, AL

June 3-5

Ocrafolk Festival - Ocracoke Island, NC

June 6-11

Blue Ridge Old Time Music Week - Mars Hill University - Mars Hill, NC

June 20-25

Kaufman Acoustic Kamp - Maryville College - Maryville, TN - instructor

September 9-11

Timpanogos Storytelling Festival - Thanksgiving Point - Lehi, UT

2028

March 2-5

Azalea Storytelling Festival - LaGrange, GA